PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Preparation of the ToR for Technical Assistance Project "Support to Preparation of Projects for IPA Component III", Montenegro

Project location

MONTENEGRO

Project value

€31,986

Client

EC

The overall objective of this project was to contribute to the sound programming and implementation of ED funds under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

The specific objective of this assignment was to further strengthen the capacities of the Montenegrin administration to programme and implement ED funds available under IPA Component III on a decentralized basis and to provide assistance in the development of the ToR for one service contract (Support to Preparation of Projects for IPA Component III) according to the Practical guide to Contract procedures for EC external actions (PRAG).

During preparation of this ToR, the following already identified components were taken into account:

• Technical Assistance to the IPA III Operating Structure

• Establishment and development of an Environmental Information System

• Feasibility Study and Main Design Preparation for the Rehabilitation of the Vrbnica-Bar Railway Line Sub-Structure

• Project Preparation to Implement the SME Cluster Strategy in the North of Montenegro

Support to National Development Planning, Croatia

Project location

CROATIA

Project value

€1,600,000

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of this project was to increase levels of socio-economic development in Croatia through effective national development planning and implementation. The project purpose is to enhance Croatia's development planning and implementation capacity through:

the preparation of the National Strategic Reference Framework (National Development Plan)

Istitutional development/capacity building in the Croatian public administration to plan, manage, monitor and evaluate structural funds programmes.

Assistance to Regional Policy Development at National Level, Serbia

Project location

SERBIA

Project value

€1,800,000

Client

EC

The overall objective of the project was to establish balanced territorial socio-economic development in Serbia. The purposes of the project were:

Increased capacity at national level to plan and implement integrated regional development policy.

More effective and transparent planning and spending of Serbian funds for development

The project had three inter-related components:

(1) Policy formulation

(2) Development Management

(3) Coordination and integration

Technical Assistance on Institutional Building for the Implementation of RCOP, Turkey

Project location

TURKEY

Project value

€6,092,960

Client

EC

The overall project object objective was to contribute to the achievements and overall success of the Regional Competitiveness Operational Programme and IPA financial assistance to Turkey. The project purposes were:

To improve the capacity of the Operating Structure in the management, implementation, monitoring and control of the RCOP;

To support the operation development and management capacity for central and local stakeholders, in particular the final recipients of operations;

To support the programming activities with a view to increase the absorption capacity of the funds available under RCOP;

To support the activation of the finance and contracts department within the Operating Structure after the transition period.

Project end beneficiary was the Regional Competitiveness Programme Coordination and Implementation Center (RCP-CIC) in the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Regional Development Capacity-Building Facility in Croatia

Project location

CROATIA

Project value

€1,513,750

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of this project was to contribute to economically and socially balanced development throughout Croatia's territory, by:

improving development planning and implementation capacity on county level

enhancing county and municipality capacity to work effectively with development funds

strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development in the ordination and management of development programmes and projects on county and municipality level.

The project activities included:

support in the preparation of the Integrated Regional Operation Programme (IROP)

training to Ministry officials on NUTS 2 designations, and on the programming and monitoring for these regions

support to the PHARE Business Related Infrastructure grant scheme

development of a project pipeline

building the implementing capacity of the Managing Authority, Intermediary Body and final beneficiaries

providing advice and assistance on the establishment of the internal management structures, delegation of tasks and responsibilities, and HRD and recruitment

preparation of national guidelines on the development of ROPs

support in setting up and running of a reporting and monitoring system for SF management

Improvement of Administrative Efficiency on National Level, Croatia

Project location

CROATIA

Project value

€1,328,496

Client

EC

The overall objective of the project was to facilitate and enhance policy making on the national level by providing the basis for an analytical assessment of SME policies based on reliable data and validated methodologies.

The purpose was to provide the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship (MELE) with the capacity and capability necessary for the continuous assessment of the overall business environment in Croatia, evaluation of needs to create a nurturing environment for SMEs, supporting their growth and stabilising their role as an important part of the national economy. In addition this contract also provided assistance in developing appropriate methodological tools and a functioning data collection system, which allows for impact assessment and the ability to tune the measures and incentives provided to benefit SMEs, by MELE and HAMAG.

Options Analysis Study for Sibovc South-West Lignite Mine

Project location

KOSOVO

Project value

€199,000

Client

EC

The global objective of this assignment was to facilitate the necessary investment for the development of Sibovc SW lignite mine.

The specific objective of this project was to inform the decision makers in Kosovo on the possible options for a public and private partnership for the investment required for opening the SW Sibovc mine, and the market reaction to these options.

Preparation of the Terms of Reference for the service tender 'Support to the Albanian Copyright Office,' Albania

Project location

ALBANIA

Project value

€40,000

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of the assignment was the strengthening and enforcement of the capacities of the ACO (Albanian Copyright Office) and RCOs (Regional Copyright Offices) and their partners, in the chain of the institutions which responsibilities and commitments in the process of respecting and protecting copyright.

The specific aim of this project was to assist the ACO in the preparation of the relevant documents for the IPA 2008 Technical Assistance project and in the revision of the Intellectual Property legal framework

The overall objective of the programme was to create a favourable environment for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, thus creating productivity growth and the job and wealth necessary to achieve the objectives set by the European Council in Lisbon ("The Lisbon Strategy").

The specific purpose of the programme was to increase the competitiveness of Turkish SMEs at selected provinces by supporting and assisting their general business operations and processes through provision of information, training and consultancy services with consideration of environmentally sustainable methods and participation of women entrepreneurs; thereby, contributing the social and economic development of the provinces.

The The overall objective of the programme was to create a favourable environment for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, thus creating productivity growth and the job and wealth necessary to achieve the objectives set by the European Council in Lisbon ('The Lisbon Strategy"). Specific activities of this lot included:

Institutional capacity of TOBB on "how to manage the Business Centre Network" in Turkey developed

Technical assistance to TOBB on establishment of BC-NCC in Ankara provided.

Monitoring and evaluation model/toolbox for the BC Network developed

Strategy for the publicity/visibility and internationalisation "BC Network in Turkey" developed

Tools and methodology to support the inter-BC cooperation and networking developed

Toolbox for the assessment of potential on establishment of new Business Centres (small and large scale) developed

Institutional capacity of BCs and local chambers on "BC-NCC services" developed

"SME Trends and Review" document (national level) prepared

Technical Assistance to Support the Tourism Industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Project location

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Project value

€1,896,950

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of the project is to lay foundations for the development of a sustainable Tourism Industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation for EU accession. The specific purpose of the project is to strengthen the capabilities of the BiH tourism support structures at the state, entity and Brčko District levels to address the challenges faced by a growing tourism industry and ensure its sustainability.

Development of a Regional Cultural Heritage Facility in Kosovo (Prizren)

Project location

KOSOVO

Project value

€899,200

Client

ECLO

The overall objective of this project was to ensure the development and sustainability of expertise in the field of cultural heritage management and conservation practice in the Western Balkan region. Specifically this project aimed at setting up a mechanism ensuring the upgrade of current and future professionals and practitioners in the Western Balkan region through vocational education training and scholarships (for Kosovo students at first) in the field of cultural heritage.

Joint Support to Local Development – Exchange 2, Serbia

Project location

SERBIA

Project value

€3,488,150

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and Serbian municipalities to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in supporting desired local and regional initiatives. The purpose of the project is to assist the SCTM and selected municipalities in providing better services for implementation of the strategic priorities for municipal development in Serbia through, among other, strengthening municipal capacities to acquire new competencies transferred from the central level. The project had the following components:

Strengthening the SCTM secretariat and committee structures,

Review of local self governance law implementation, review of existing service delivery practice and provide recommendations.

Development of the feasibility study on a Municipal Development Fund

Development and/or upgrading the Local Sustainable Development Strategies in the selected municipalities

Design and implementation of Municipal Service Packages

Preparation of the Framework for the implementation of the next phase of support to the municipalities under IPA 2007

Support to the Ministry of Local Government and Administration, Kosovo

Project location

KOSOVO

Project value

€950,000

Client

ECLO

The overall objective of this project was to support the ongoing decentralisation process and capacity building of the Ministry of Local Government Administration in enhancement of managerial, co-ordination and monitoring competencies and municipal performance assessment, in line with European standards.

The purpose of the project was to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Local Government Administration in the public administration of Kosovo for more effective and citizen oriented services.

The overall objective of this project was to maximise the role of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in the process of EU membership negotiations by promoting the dialogue between parliamentarians as well as political parties represented in the parliaments of the Member States and Turkey. The purposes of this contract were as follows;

To contribute to a better knowledge and understanding between Turkey and the European Union.

To raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of Turkey's accession to the EU by increasing publicity and visibility.

Draft the ToR for Public Internal Financial Control and Office of the Auditor General

Project location

KOSOVO

Project value

€37,000

Client

EC

The global objective of this assignment was to increase the administrative capacity for financial control, including public internal financial control (PIFC) and external audit. Specific objectives were to provide a fully fledged Terms of Reference (ToR) for two projects to:

Increase the capacity of the MEF to coordinate, develop and implement the principles of decentralised managerial accountability and functionally independent internal audit in accordance with international standards and EU standards through coherent legislation and adequate administrative capacity.

Strengthen the operational and functional capacity of the Supreme Audit Institution

Support to National Investment Planning and Implementation, Serbia

Project location

SERBIA

Project value

€1,400,000

Client

EC IPA

The objective of the project was to support the socio-economic development of Serbia in line with EU standards by improving national public investment and budget planning. In other words, this project was designed to support public investment/capital budget planning processes in Serbia at strategic/policy and operational levels according to EU best practices.

The project included the following phases:

PHASE 1 - Elaboration of National Public Investment Objectives:

PHASE 2 - Budgeting for Investment Priorities:

Building the Programmatic Budgeting Process

Improvement of definition of programme/project criteria, methodology and procedures that connect with strategic priorities involving a mix of capital projects, grant schemes etc.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Definition/clarification of authority and responsibilities in the public investments/capital budget planning and implementation process

The global objective of the project was to support the successful implementation of the National Investment Programme (NIP) by improving the strategic and technical capabilities of the NIP office.

Specific objective was based on a review of the NIP project screening mechanisms so far and existing project selection procedures provide policy and technical recommendations, on selection and review of existing project applications and policy recommendations on future actions and support needs of the NIP office to meet EU standards in launching, selecting, evaluating and monitoring calls for project proposals. Draft Terms of Reference for future technical assistance to support the NIP office.

Assessment and Strategic Development Based on Fiscal Blueprint

Project location

CROATIA

Project value

€199,999

Client

EAR

The global objective of this assignment was to improve the administration capacity of the Tax Administration of the Republic of Croatia by introducing an overall strategic business and IT development framework. The project achieved the following objectives:

Assisted in the preparation of a gap analysis, which includes a comparison between the actual situation and the Fiscal Blueprints benchmark

Based on the gap analysis, a needs analysis, which determines what needs to be done to bring the performance in each tax administration functional area up to the standard described in the relevant Blueprint.

Undertook a comprehensive situation analysis on the existing IT solution in the Customs Administration, including the assessment of all available studies and planning documents prepared under other consultancy assignments/twinning projects

Assisted the Tax Administration to prepare and overall IT strategy document, outlining the current situation and guidelines for further IT organization.

Support for establishment and accreditation of future IB for the Regional Competitiveness OP (IPA IIIc)

Project location

CROATIA

Project value

€189,280

Client

EC IPA

The overall objective of this contract was to develop the administrative capacity of the Operating Structure to efficiently use the EU funds in the pre-accession process and upon accession and to strengthen Croatia's absorption capacity.

The Specific objectives of the project focused on institutional preparations of future Implementing bodies to be able to implement and ensure sound and efficient management of EU funded programmes. Within this contract future Implementing Bodies were prepared for the accreditation (phase II) to successfully play their role in the future partnership building, implementation and monitoring of Funds.

Technical Assistance on Durable Solutions for Displaced and Internally Displaced Persons and Residents of Konik Camp in Montenegro and Preparation for 2011 IPA

Project location

MONTENEGRO

Project value

€94,798

Client

Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

The global objective of this project was to ensure durable and sustainable solutions for RAE and other displaced and internally displaced persons residing in the Konik area.

The specific objective of this project was to provide technical assistance to the Government of Montenegro in preparation for the start of the IPA project on Durable Solutions for the Population of Konik Camps, due to begin in the first quarter of 2012, principally through ensuring that pre-conditions for the successful implementation of the project were met.

Technical Assistance for the Project of Improved Integration of Disabled Persons into Society, Turkey

Project location

TURKEY

Project value

€116,640

Client

EC

The overall objective of this assignment was to enable persons with disabilities to have equal access to goods, services and all aspects of life as anybody else through the provision of a targeted grant scheme. The specific objectives of the projects were:

To support the Beneficiary in holding promotion and awareness raising activities for the target group of the grant scheme.

To support the beneficiary in drafting the Terms of Reference for a Large Technical Assistance

Implementation of Priorities in the Area of Human Rights and Protection of National Minority Groups, Serbia

Project location

SERBIA

Project value

€1,186,200

Client

EC

The overall objective of this project was to support the implementation of human rights standards and minority protection in Serbia and to align them to EU standards. The project provided capacity building in a number of different areas to enable the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights (MHMR) to perform its overall co-ordination and co-operation function in the field of human and minority right protection and to respond to all obligations of international conventions and demands made by EU institutions.

This project revised developed the national mechanisms for the implementation of the decisions of UN treaty bodies, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgements and prevention, detection and monitoring cases of torture in compliance with the optional protocol to the Convention against torture. It also supported the development of a comprehensive monitoring system, as per the requirements of the UN and Council of Europe (CoE) bodies. In addition, support was provided for the institutional development of the existing 16 National Minority Councils by providing capacity building to existing staff and developing reporting procedures and tools.

Support to Legal Drafting in Kosovo

Project location

KOSOVO

Project value

€190,000

Client

EC

The global objective of this assignment was to assist the Government of Kosovo, and more particularly the Office for Legal Support Services in the Office of the Prime Minister in coping with the legislative agenda that derives from the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan. The specific objective of this project was to enhance the capacity in legal drafting through the provision of technical assistance to the government and line ministries to draft 4 pieces of legislation: